Meetup's in Arlington

I went on meetup.com a few days ago and joined a couple meetup's in Arlington.
Last night I went to a "game night" activity in a 40's and 50's group.   It was pretty good, but a commonality in these groups is that most people are single.  There was only one guy there and I do have my wedding ring on but when I mention my husband it surprises everyone.  Today I went to a park walk about 10 miles from here.  It was a beautiful park.  I can't think of any park in the area I live in in WI that is this large.  It was called River Legacy Park.  It had many parking lots, paved trails and dirt trails.  Where I parked there was also a play ground and bathroom.   It was very enjoyable.  There was a point about 1/2 way where you could choose to quit or continue onto the dirt trail where you had to compete with bikers.  I saw 3 armadillo on the walk.  It was about 68 degrees and very sunny today. 

I was a window washer today.

I really don't wash windows at home - that is typically Daves job.   Actually he does the outside and I manage the inside.  He is so much taller he can reach all the windows without a ladder or stool.

Karen worked today and Don worked PM's.   I started windows about 3 pm.   The inside is not too bad, but once I got into cobwebs I decided to use that rag and do the outsides.  They were so dirty the rag is pretty much ready for the garbage.  I ended up going all the way around the house and pre-washing the outside.  It took me a few hours and now I still have to do again.  I made a homemade solution of alcohol, ammonia and Dawn.  I use that at home and it is streak free.  Tomorrow I think I will do the inside, then I can kind of see what needs redoing on the outside.  Tomorrow is suppose to be 67 and sunny.  I will be in shorts!  Can't wait! 

Super nice day! Finally!

Today is about 50 and the sun came out.   It has been hiding pretty much since I came - I think there was sun my first full day but the air was in the teens.  There  is only one day in the next 10 under 50 degrees.   On Saturday it will be 67 and sunny - time for shorts.

After the YMCA this AM, I came home showered and then ate lunch with Don.  Karen went out to lunch with some friends.  Don is working PM's so he left for work while I was out taking a long walk.

Dinner Party

Karen had a dinner party last night.   This is an early to bed family - at least for Don.  He is usually in bed between 8 and 9.  He gets up around 5 for work.   Not sure if he gets up quite this early on his days off.   He works 4 days a week - this includes every other weekend.  He is a clinical pharmacist so he works in a hospital doing quite a variety and a lot different than a retail pharmacist.  But his real love of a job is to paint.  He is a portrait artist and their house is full of his paintings.  One of these days I will post pictures of them.

Well anyway back to the dinner party.  Karen is very formal about these - very particular about everything about it.  China, tablecloth, Waterford drink ware, silverware and flowers.  She pre-plans each part of the meal also.  She has 4 sets of china to choose from.  Don approves colors of everything to coordinate.   After dinner we sat in the formal living room to talk - I actually cleared the table and put the food in the fridge for them.    Then I went in and sat with them to chat.  Well, it was about 11:30 by the time they left.   I looked at my watch at 9:30 and could tell Don was getting tired - just how I was feeling.   Karen seemed as lively as ever.  I stayed in there because they were all interesting to listen too.  I added a little here and there but they had most of the stories.  There guests were Sheila and John.   Sheila is a woman than Karen swims with and John is a Doctor.   They have 4 children - one is blind, but married.  He has a job, I think mentoring other disabled people.  Their kids range from 18 to 30.  Very interesting group to be with!

Car Washes in TX

It was my second full day here I took my car out to get it washed.   I even asked Don where the closest best car wash was.   Well  little did I know car washes don't run down here if it is below 35 degrees.  The first one I put my money in - no water came out.   I made 4 more stops before getting my car washed and it wasn't on - I had to go in the gas station and wait for the clerk to come out, open the door and start it for me.  I think the only reason she did it is because I had already put my credit card through and we had no way to know if it charged me or reversed the charge.   The doors were closed but I didn't know how it worked, so I opened the door.  The day reminded me of a story Megan told me about car washes in her area - not too sure about them.   There are a lot of car washes around here.  I would say 1-2 in every block.

1st full day at host in TX

I arrived last night after a pretty long drive (for me)
My host family is very nice and has a very nice house.

I surely didn't do much today - It will take me a little bit to know what I can even do.
Karen is working tomorrow, but Don will be home for the day.  I may venture out to the YMCA and stop at the place I will get my oil changed in a few weeks.

I also ended up taking a long walk today.   I was in the upper 30's but very sunny!

Texas is not suppose to be cold!

It has been really cold  here since I got here.   It was in the 40's when I came but yesterday only in the 30's with sun and today low 30's but no sun!  I did a 4 hour volunteer activity that is held once per month at a church about 24 miles away.   I was never told it was outside.  Most of you probably know why I am in TX - I can't stand the cold.   They found a job for me that was about 1/2 inside and 1/2 outside.  I still froze.  I didn't dress for the weather but did have 4 layers on knowing the building might not be heated like if I was inside.  Luckily I had my thicker mittens, ear muffs and scarf.   I wish I had worn my smart wool socks though.  I am back home now and will take a while to thaw out - I actually put my long underwear on after my shower when I got home. 

This afternoon my task is to clean up the living room after we took the tree down last night.  Then I will be using hot water to wash 1/2 the china from the china cabinet.   When I find my camera - not sure what happened to it - I will post a picture of the china cabinet I am cleaning.  My host parents are both working today, so I am here alone.

Jan 5, 2015 travel day.

Travel today was from Iowa City, IA to Emporia, KS.

I am at a restraunt now just finishing dinner and then going to the family that will be hosting me tonight.   I will write my impression of the family either later tonight or tomorrow.  My travels went really good today.   Super little traffic and pretty nice weather - for being in a car.  The weather changed from a little below 0 when I left IA at 8:3pm,0am to about 29 by the time I got to Emporia, KS.  I ran into a little bit of light snow but it was no big deal.  My car is really dirty though - can't wait to wash it when I get to TX.

I arrived at Gaelynn and James's house about 6:40pm .   She is a professor teaching art the rapy at Emporia University and James is a lawyer in private practice.   They actually just returned at Thanksgiving time from 9 weeks in Italy for vacation, and a little work for Gaelynn..  For Gaelynn it was a sabatical from the University and for James he just stopped taking cases.   Gaelynn said they each work about 70 hours a week (wow!)

When I got here James showed me the house and took me to my bedroom to drop off my stuff.  The house was built in 1920's and is typical for around a university (like UW Oshkosh and Lawrence University).

New Years day travel

My travel today was from home to my daughters house in IA.   Megan and Arek traveled there as well.   There were almost no cars on the road traveling on New Years Day.  I planned to leave on Sunday (1-4-15) morning between 8 and 9 AM to travel to Emporia KS. 

Since the weather is very windy with blowing snow on Sunday I am postponing this piece of my travel to morning.